A statewide opinion poll released today shows Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. David Vitter holds a double-digit lead in his 2010 re-election bid over Democratic challenger Rep. Charlie Melancon although he is short of a majority.

Matthew Hinton/The Times-PicayuneSen. David Vitter, R-La.

Vitter had 47.6 percent to Melancon's 35.8 percent, with 16.6 percent undecided, according to the survey conducted last week by Southern Media and Opinion Research of Baton Rouge.

By framing himself as a vocal opponent of a president who is unpopular in Louisiana, Vitter might be successfully focusing the public's attention away from his tarnished image after being identified as the patron of a prostitution ring several years ago, said Bernie Pinsonat of Southern Media.

"Obama is affecting the political landscape. He makes it a lot easier on Vitter, " Pinsonat said. "It doesn't mean Vitter's a cinch, but it certainly allows a diversion from his past problems."

The poll asked 31 questions on a range of political and economic issues, including whether voters were pleased with the performance of the state's major politicians.

The poll suggested that Melancon has room to grow. About 36 percent of respondents gave him a good or excellent rating, while 41.5 percent said they were either not familiar with him or had no answer. Vitter received a 57 percent favorability rating, with only 5.5 percent of respondents saying they were not familiar with him or had no answer.

Melancon, who represents the 3rd Congressional District in southern Louisiana and the River Parishes, polled strongest in his home areas and appeared weakest in northern Louisiana, where he is less well-known. His campaign is targeting the female vote, which in the poll favored Vitter 44.2 percent to Melancon's 39.1 percent, with nearly 17 percent undecided.

The poll indicates that Louisiana citizens are uneasy about the economy and concerned about the impact of cuts in the state budget, particularly in health care and education spending.

Asked about general conditions in Louisiana, 25 percent said things are getting better, 43 percent said they are staying about the same and 29 percent said matters are growing worse, with the rest not answering.

Gov. Bobby Jindal and Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu both had favorability ratings of just more than 64 percent, followed by U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans, with 54.2 percent and President Barack Obama with 44.7 percent.

Mary Landrieu was re-elected last year and had a favorability rating of 61 percent as recently as March. Pinsonat said Obama's lack of popularity in Louisiana is affecting Landrieu and other Democrats, especially those who supported the president's economic stimulus package.

"She did vote for the stimulus, and the stimulus is unpopular, " Pinsonat said.